B.C. Ferries is adjusting the schedule of its key northern B.C. route to prevent collisions with humpback whales. Effective June 1, the Northern Expedition service connecting Prince Rupert, Haida Gwaii, and Vancouver Island will be modified to accommodate slower travel speeds aimed at reducing whale strikes. This decision follows a tragic incident in September 2025 when a humpback, known as Midnight to the Gitga’at First Nation, was struck and killed by the ferry. Midnight was a familiar presence in the local ecosystem.
The company has been operating at reduced speeds in areas with significant marine mammal activity, such as the Wright Sound special operation zone off B.C.’s North Coast, after consultations with local First Nations. However, this has caused delays in arrivals at Prince Rupert, prompting the need for updated schedules. Notably, there will be extended wait times at McLoughlin Bay for southbound Route 28A connections, with delays in arrivals at Port Hardy and Prince Rupert. Despite these adjustments, onward connections remain unaffected.
While reduced speeds can aid in preventing whale strikes, Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, cautions that they may not entirely eliminate the risk. Brillant emphasizes the importance of avoiding vessel presence in whale-populated areas and advocates for the use of restricted zones and detection technology to enhance whale protection. The ultimate goal is early whale detection to mitigate the occurrence of vessel strikes.